Thanks Claudine. I keep getting so agitated reading the forecasts. I never pay attention to my local news. I believe they have a deal worked put with supermarkets They make a dusting of snow sound like the apocalypse. I normally trust NOAA but what my co worker pulled up on the PC is totally different from what it says on my app. It's a cluster.

Saria, I have no idea who can finish a bowl of pho, but I would love to try. I have been craving it. We had the most fantastic Vietnamese cafe for several years. The owners met and married when he was stationed in Vietnam. She was the best cook, but they retired and sold the business. No more great pho.

Murrrcat, Im convinced the world will not be restored to balance until you get your OJ.

When I hear terms like "hipster" I think, who told cliques they could leave high school??

I read this quote by former Senator Barry Goldwater, who also ran in the 1964 Presidential Election as the Republican party's nominee:

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them." (1994)

I read a bit more on him, and it is very interesting to see, from a historical standpoint, what he had to say about Christians making a move on the conservatives of the Republican Party. The earliest quotes I can find are from the early 80s.

It makes me wonder what the Republican Party would look like today with the absence of religious input.

Originally Posted by Rubber Biscuit

There's always been a strain of religious extremism in the United States. Sinclair Lewis nailed it when he said "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

The Cold War only made it worse, with the spectre of godless atheism lurking around every corner. So you saw the John Birch Society equating every social program, civil rights legislation etc. with communism, as if eliminating discrimination and poverty would lead to the displacement of God) with government.

They must not have read this part of the Bible:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35-36)

Goldwater was an intriguing and prescient figure. I saw a documentary about him a few years back, "Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater". The title is rather ironic, because he'd never be considered a conservative today, given how much the definition of the term has changed. It's available on Netflix, if you're interested. I highly recommend it.

As for your other question, there are still some moderate Republicans, but they're primarily in the blue states. It's a shame to see decent people like Richard Lugar forced out of the party for the likes of Richard Mourdock (rape is something that God intended to happen), or Olympia Snowe opt to retire rather than face a primary against a more extreme Republican.

I read this quote by former Senator Barry Goldwater, who also ran in the 1964 Presidential Election as the Republican party's nominee:

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them." (1994)

I read a bit more on him, and it is very interesting to see, from a historical standpoint, what he had to say about Christians making a move on the conservatives of the Republican Party. The earliest quotes I can find are from the early 80s.

It makes me wonder what the Republican Party would look like today with the absence of religious input.

Originally Posted by Rubber Biscuit

If I remember right, The Moral Majority really got the ball rolling on having right wing Christians taking over governments.
I was working on school board races in the mid 80's and someone gave me a copy of their 'rule book'. It was large and detailed and scary. And much of it has worked exactly as they wanted.
They started with school boards and city councils and township supervisor seats and moved up from there. It's frightening.

But I don't understand how. Looking at the grade allocation for the exam I should not have failed (as badly as I did). I need to see my paper, better yet, I need to go sit down in her office and her go through that question with me. The other two questions I can kinda see how I would mess up those, but no way in hell could I mess up the first one. I could do that equation forwards and backwards.

I am not very pleased with myself and I have not been one to argue about grades. Sure I can say "at least I'm not at the back of the class and I'm competing against people who have a background in math and have been doing econ for about 5 years while I barely scraped through high school math." It still sucks ass though.

I think it's time to have a cry.

I ain't thirsty. There's plenty of fish in the sea, but I don't want all of them, can I have some standards? Or do we just have to settle, for someone's who meh and will do."

If I remember right, The Moral Majority really got the ball rolling on having right wing Christians taking over governments.
I was working on school board races in the mid 80's and someone gave me a copy of their 'rule book'. It was large and detailed and scary. And much of it has worked exactly as they wanted.
They started with school boards and city councils and township supervisor seats and moved up from there. It's frightening.

Originally Posted by jeepcurlygurl

Yes, Jerry Falwell was the first major religious leader to advocate for direct political involvement by people of faith. Until that point (1979), there was a sense that politics was an unseemly pursuit for true Christians, since it's defined by compromise and corruption. The tipping point was, of course, Roe v Wade, which convinced Falwell that they could no longer stand on the sidelines.

Their grassroots strategy was brilliant, and I have to admit I admire its effectiveness. Secular activists tend to focus on the top of the ticket, but real change begins at the local level, especially the schools. Get 'em while they're young! So they were extremely successful in passing laws allowing school prayer, teaching creation/intelligent design etc., until the federal courts slapped that down. Hence the rage against "unelected activist judges."

I'd love to see that "rule book" - sounds fascinating. They really had their ducks in a row. A textbook example of how to achieve social change.

I'm going to flip out at any moment. 3 days without water, evil period from hell, I had to stand in my tub and dump gallon jugs of cold water over me to shower today because I didn't have time to heat up water before work. Why? Because we might get snow tonight and I had to pack in case I cant get home for the next two days. Every forecast says something different from no snow to 6 inches over the next 2 days because they are all effing morons. If I cant get home then it might be 3 or 4 more days before the well company can make it up my mountain to work on the water... I want to scream.

I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that we get little to no snow tonight and that they can work on the well tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Fifi.G

Wow, I feel for you. Hope everything gets fixed quickly. This has just an awful week weather wise. Hope everyone pulls through OK.

I did well in macro, but my first undergraduate microeconomics exam was an epic fail. I wanted so badly to withdraw, but knew it would look bad and I'd have to take it over again anyway. As much as I dreaded it, I spent the next few weeks getting extra help from the prof and the TA, busted my butt and managed to eke out a decent grade.

Hope is not lost. Professors really appreciate conscientious students, and are willing to grant some latitude if you make a concerted effort to get back on track.

Rubber Biscuit: Not a big wine drinker but I sure could go for a glass. This reminds me that I really should keep some liquor in the house for occasions such as this.

Yossarian: I had been trying to get one of the second years to help me (most said they were busy, and I later found out that one of them thinks way too much like I do and "didn't want anyone's grade to depend on their crappy tutoring," but was kind enough to introduce me to someone who is actually willing to tutor me. Boy do I need it.

Most of my lecturers know that I will struggle because of the massive shift from undergrad major to post grad major with zero courses in the area.

I emailed the lecturer and asked if I could come see her during office hours. Guessing I need to phone in that study group help right about now.

Hope is not completely lost, but this is school's way of reminding me that I know nothing (and that's why I'm there)

I ain't thirsty. There's plenty of fish in the sea, but I don't want all of them, can I have some standards? Or do we just have to settle, for someone's who meh and will do."

My son works as a public defender and some of the cases he represents are simply heartbreaking. The very first one involved the mother accused of of torturing and abusing her 3 year old son to death (known as Baby Lollipops, for those of you living in Miami-Dade). He was so torn between compassion for the innocent child and his professional obligation to zealously advocate for his client, he nearly reconsidered his career choice. And it's no easier when the accused is innocent but has the deck stacked against him because of who he is.

Sometimes I wish he'd taken a job with a high-paying corporate firms like his classmates did, but then I know his work wouldn't be so gratifying.

Originally Posted by yossarian

Wow - that's weird to have that as your first case. I am junior so I only take Category "C" offences as Legal Aid classes them - nothing causing death or serious bodily harm. I have impaired driving, assault, domestic assault, various breaches of court orders, uttering threats, that kind of thing. I'm probably going to start taking certain Category "B" after Christmas - the more serious assaults, sexual assaults, break and enter and home invasions, etc. I won't get to Category "A" - murders, aggravated sexual assaults etc, or the majority of Category "B", for some time. I don't feel professionally or mentally/emotionally prepared for murders, torture, rape etc. just yet.

I can't imagine working with a high-paid corporate firm. It's a good choice for some, but I would find it soul-sucking.

Originally Posted by Amneris

I should have specified that it was the first case he worked on. He wasn't even a lawyer at the time, just an intern in the Miami public defender's office the summer after 1L. The defendant had already been convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but the prosecutor was (successfully) petitioning the court to amend the sentence to the death penalty.

On the positive side, the experience severely tested his resolve to pursue that career, so at least I know he's fully cognizant of what lies ahead.

He feels the same way about the corporate route, but there's something to be said for paying off the law school loans in 3 years, and then choosing public interest law.

Originally Posted by yossarian

I don't think that that is an appropriate case for a student.

I think the likelihood of someone working in corporate law for 3 years and then switching to public interest is remote, because the corporate mindset and the love of the money have kicked in by then, and PI organizations want to see your experience and commitment to their ideals from day one.

Get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me. -Muhammad Ali

If I remember right, The Moral Majority really got the ball rolling on having right wing Christians taking over governments.
I was working on school board races in the mid 80's and someone gave me a copy of their 'rule book'. It was large and detailed and scary. And much of it has worked exactly as they wanted.
They started with school boards and city councils and township supervisor seats and moved up from there. It's frightening.

Originally Posted by jeepcurlygurl

Yes, Jerry Falwell was the first major religious leader to advocate for direct political involvement by people of faith. Until that point (1979), there was a sense that politics was an unseemly pursuit for true Christians, since it's defined by compromise and corruption. The tipping point was, of course, Roe v Wade, which convinced Falwell that they could no longer stand on the sidelines.

Their grassroots strategy was brilliant, and I have to admit I admire its effectiveness. Secular activists tend to focus on the top of the ticket, but real change begins at the local level, especially the schools. Get 'em while they're young! So they were extremely successful in passing laws allowing school prayer, teaching creation/intelligent design etc., until the federal courts slapped that down. Hence the rage against "unelected activist judges."

I'd love to see that "rule book" - sounds fascinating. They really had their ducks in a row. A textbook example of how to achieve social change.

Originally Posted by yossarian

I wish I still had it. It really was an amazing plan. My ex and I warned people then and I still do that, like you said, it all starts at the bottom and local elections are more important than most people realize.